Aim: We assessed the liver function of automobile workers in Benin City, Edo state Nigeria. Methodology: A total of 89 male workers aged 20-45 years (33.2 ± 3.4) and 50 age-matched controls (32.8 ± 3.1) participated in the study. Blood samples of participants were collected and analyzed for total bilirubin (TB), conjugated bilirubin (CB), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanineaminotransferase (ALT) and gamma glutamyl transferase levels.Results: Data indicated lack of significant differences in total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, serum albumin, total protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities between the auto workers and control. In contrast, the γ – glutamyltransferase activity significantly (p < 0.05) differed between the control and all the auto workers groups. Similarly, a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum albumin concentration was observed in spray painters compared with the control group. Conclusion: The present findings may suggest unimpaired liver function in automobile workers. The greater glutamyltransferase activity observed in the auto workers may be suggestive of lead induced toxicity in the autoworkers.
Keywords: Benin City, Liver function, automobile workers, enzyme activity
